New film tells ‘real’ Bhagat Singh story

HT Correspondent,
New Delhi

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Updated: Jul 13, 2008 23:42 IST

In an attempt to present the lives of our freedom fighters in true light, the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) has come out with a documentary on Bhagat Singh called Inquilab. The 40-minute film has been produced in collaboration with the Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD), a non-profit organisation.

“The level of information about our freedom fighters is very low among today’s generation. Though there were several (commercial) movies on Bhagat Singh, they are either distorted or picturised in a fancy way to appeal to the masses. This film will convey the true picture to children,” Prof Mridula Mukherjee, director, NMML said.

Scripted and directed by noted filmmaker Gauhar Raza, the film contains archival footage and original visuals of locations, rather than a dramatic re-picturisation, which gives the film an authentic look. The description of the freedom fighter and events of his life by well-known intellectuals and historians like Kuldeep Nayyar, Prof Bipan Chandra, Prof KN Panikkar adds value to the documentary. An extensive use of press clippings in the narrative also gives an understanding as to how the newspapers covered the freedom struggle.

“The way it is picturised gives an opportunity to teachers and students to understand the revolutionary” said Mukherjee. The documentary has been produced as part of the year-long celebrations organised by the NMML in connection with the 100th birth anniversary celebrations of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, 60 years of India’s Independence and 150 years of the 1857 uprising.